The WestConnect Coalition

About The Coalition

The WestConnect Coalition is a collaborative effort led by local and state agencies to identify transportation needs and projects in the study area. The Coalition uses a consensus-based decision process to determine the priority transportation solutions. The initial focus is on conducting a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study led by the Coalition, including CDOT. The PEL study is examining transportation needs and strategies across the study area from Kipling/C470 to state highway 93 in Boulder.

History & Background

The WestConnect Coalition was formed, in part, to replicate the example of the C-470 (Segment 1) Coalition that collaboratively identified transportation needs and projects and is now moving toward construction. A functioning Coalition and an agreed upon charter were considered to be prerequisites for the initiation of a planning study in the study area.

The Coalition’s charter outlines its mission to:

Provide mobility improvements for all modes of travel

Enrich quality of life

Provide economic opportunity

Foster regional alliances

Engage and encourage public support and

Accelerate project delivery

The Coalition has directed the PEL study to advance transportation improvements on the ‘mainline’ in the study area. The mainline areas are C470 (Kipling to I-70), US 6 and SH 93 to Boulder. The goals for the PEL, identified by the Coalition, are:

To consolidate and acknowledge jurisdictions, plans and priorities

Identify an agreed upon list of prioritized projects

Engage the public in a meaningful way

Identify alternative mobility opportunities in the study area

Identify the full range of potential funding options and opportunities

Streamline future processes and implementation

Identify next steps and implementation actions

The Coalition is comprised of members and affiliate members that have different positions regarding the potential Jefferson Parkway. Given such differences and a desire to ensure the effective use of the PEL funds, the Coalition agreed on an approach to separate the Jefferson Parkway from the PEL study. The Coalition members agreed that the PEL will not analyze or recommend alternatives for the Jefferson Parkway. The Jefferson Parkway project will be considered in a separate process from the PEL.

Funding

Funding mechanisms for Coalition projects could include increased property taxes, a special district funded by sales tax, toll revenue generated by managed lanes or all lanes, license plate fees or a combination of methods. One tolling option, consistent with Colorado Department of Transportation policy, is to add managed or express tolls to new capacity lanes and tolls to newly constructed roadways. All viable funding options will be explored through the process and discussed with the public.